What Experts Mean When They Talk About Adding Warmth to a Room

When the cold weather hits, we crave the comfort of a toasty, warm space. But the warmth we’re talking about isn’t from stepping out of the icy wind. It’s the feeling you get when you’re enveloped by a welcoming space—an unmistakable but hard-to-put-your-finger-on sense of comfort.

Having a home that feels hospitable to friends and family is something most of us want. With the combination of cooler temperatures, longer nights, and the holidays, it feels especially imperative this time of year.

If you’re unsure how to achieve this in your home, never fear. We reached out to some expert interior designers for their thoughts on what makes a home “warm” and practical tips to make you feel cozy all season long without turning up the heat.

“In my opinion, adding warmth to a space means creating a sense of comfort. If a cold space is one where you feel out of place, a warm space is somewhere that makes you feel more positive as you enter and enjoy the space,” explains Shelby Van Daley of Daley Home. “There are mounds of research supporting the concept that the way a space appears can have a significant influence on mood and feelings,” which means the design decisions you make for your home are an essential part of your aesthetic and overall well-being.

At first, it may seem difficult to pinpoint what creates the kind of room that makes guests want to sit and stay a while, but there are some universally appealing ways to create this vibe in your home through your decor.

Van Daley recommends adding warmth through rich wood tones, whether that’s a table or smaller items like picture frames or the accessories you style the room with. Speaking of artwork, Van Daley says, “You can add warmth by using landscape or abstract style